The findings come in a poll commissioned by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation among 50,000 respondents in 53 countries.
The study shows an attachment to democracy globally, with 81% of people around the world saying that it is important to have democracy in their country. Only a little more than half (53%) say their country is actually democratic today – even in democracies.
The main findings:
The biggest perceived threat to democracy isn’t foreign election interference,
Russian influence, or the power of Big Tech – it’s economic inequality.
Since 2020, more people have become concerned that social media platforms 

have a negative impact on democracy – particularly in the US and Europe.
Since Biden’s inauguration, global opinion of the US’s impact on democracy
worldwide has increased in most parts of the world.
However, nearly half (44%) of people around the world are still concerned that the
US threatens democracy in their country. Fear of China’s influence is 38%, and fear
of Russia’s influence is lowest at 28%.
The USA’s democratic deficit according to its own population ranks alongside that of Indonesia. The UK ranks behind the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and China. It appears that whilst our politicians continue to label their counties as ‘democracies’ their populations are a lot less certain.
Since 2020 and the outbreak of Covid most countries reflect a growing concern that democracy is being eroded even more by governments who are curtailing freedoms.
Across the globe there is a strong sense that governments are only acting for a small minority of people and that ‘elites’ are running the show primarily in their own interests.
Global Tech and social media are also considered to be a significant threat to democracy alongside government interference.
The UK ranks above both Egypt and China in considering that its elections are not free and fair with the US perceived by its population as even less fair.
Here Tom Lane and Jason Cridland discuss the report and its implications:
PLEASE SUPPORT US FOR JUST £2 A MONTH
